Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three, 9” round cake pans. Cream the shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Blend in the vanilla and cooled chocolate. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beating after each addition. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes and then turn out onto racks to finish cooling. Cool completely before frosting.